Project B – Defying Convention

The Anatomy of Project B Shoes

Project B shoes are built differently because rowing requires a specific shoe design – let us take you through what makes our shoes different, for each section of your stroke.

The Catch

Problems: Regular shoes are often a one piece design and don’t bend in the correct place,making it feel hard and tight to get into a good catch position and often the break right where you need them to bend. The heel often moves on the heel and creates blisters or feels like your heel will pop out.

Solution: A split sole with carbon fiber Forefoot and Heel Cups

• bends where your foot needs to flex and holds your foot without discomfort

• creates a comfortable, stable and connected catch and an ease of movement

The Drive

Problems: Regular rowing shoes often use a soft sole that absorbs your force like a sponge andhas no support for your foot. Did you know that in the drive phase you easily push more than your bodyweight through your feet? Poor shoes without support can allow your foot to collapse and affect your knees, hips and even lower back while reducing the effectiveness of your drive.

Solution: Mid-Arch support for the foot to transfer force efficiently and comfortably and a carbon fiber sole that gives you a direct transfer and connection to the boat and the highest force transfer of any shoe.

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The Finish and Recovery

Problems: Regular rowing shoes are often poorly fitted and don’t close down over your foot well.These shoes almost never consider that the top of your foot needs good support, as well as the bottom, especially when you need a solid finish and clean recovery that doesn’t use a lot of energy. Stability, feel and connection are all vital and in a soft shoe with poor velcro and a general dress-shoe shape you can’t get this – you have to work against the shoe at this part of the stroke.

Solutions: Dual-Lock Down Straps and Tongueless Wrap

• A sock like fit and feel
• Full lock down support and connection
• Allows full connection at the back of the stroke and supports strong torso

Comfort

Problems: Regular rowing shoes are just not shaped for the function of your foot while rowing.Most are designed from a dress-shoe shape. Ever had blisters? Cramped toes? Rub spots? This is why.

Solutions: Make a shoe shaped for rower’s feet! Anatomic Toe Box and Heel-shaped Heel Cup.

About The Author

Tom Morgan

Tom is the Founder of JRN. He has been creating content around rowing for over a decade and has been fortunate enough to witness some of the greatest athletes and races to ever grace our sport.

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